Chapter 475: The Three Generals’ Predicament
Grain route.
A stone sphere suddenly emerged from the ground, cackling wildly: “Liangzhu Kingdom scum, your Lord Stone Dwelling Old Monster is here, hahahaha.”
“Run! It’s Stone Dwelling Old Monster!”
“He’s come to ambush the supply convoy again!”
“You go—I’ll hold him off.”
The convoy’s main commander was a Nascent Soul cultivator. He spurred his horse forward to confront the Stone Dwelling Old Monster.
The two clashed in a dazzling display. Golden fire surged, engulfing a vast stretch of forest in flames.
The Stone Dwelling Old Monster's demonic might was overwhelming. The Nascent Soul cultivator lost his mount and suffered severe injuries but did not retreat, fully displaying Liangzhu Kingdom’s martial spirit as he fought on until reinforcements arrived.
Stone Dwelling Old Monster said, “Tang Yan, is it? A mere early-stage Nascent Soul, and yet you possess such battle power. Not bad. I’ll remember you.”
Leaving behind this remark that sounded half like admiration, the Stone Dwelling Old Monster burrowed into the earth and voluntarily withdrew.
His earth element techniques were exceedingly formidable. The two Nascent Soul cultivators from Liangzhu who arrived could only gaze helplessly at the layered mountains and sigh.
As a result, when the second round of rations was distributed, Mu Lan still received nothing.
“Good, good, good!” Mu Lan laughed from rage, eyes filled with scorn.
This time, to prevent her from causing an uproar at the grain depot, Sun Gan, Shuangjing, and others all came in person.
Sun Gan wore a cold expression and sternly rebuked her. As a soldier, she had to obey military discipline and follow orders—his manner righteous and imposing.
Shuangjing, on the other hand, smiled gently, speaking in a soft tone. He advised Mu Lan to show patience, to consider the difficulties the nation faced, and as the sole heir of the Grand General’s Mansion, she ought to set an example and embody the spirit of sacrifice.
Mu Lan was only at the Golden Core stage. Her battle power mainly relied on the Red Flower Camp. She was no match for Nascent Soul cultivators like Sun Gan and Shuangjing. She could only grit her teeth, clench her fists, and storm out of the city.
Returning to the Red Flower Camp, burdened by deep guilt, she was surprised to find the entire camp rejoicing.
Upon inspection, she saw that a massive delivery of rations had arrived.
“Where did this military supply come from?” Mu Lan was both delighted and curious. After asking around, she learned it was the work of the Three Generals Camp.
“Tch, those Liu, Guan, and Zhang from the Three Generals Camp are all paupers. Who else could it be? It must be Young Lord Ning,” said Zhang Chongyi via spiritual sense transmission.
“Ning Zhuo…” Mu Lan naturally knew the details about Liu, Guan, and Zhang, and thus knew Zhang Chongyi wasn’t lying.
A complicated expression appeared on her face. At the same time, she felt puzzled. “If he refuses to dual cultivate with me, why is he treating me like this?”
Zhang Chongyi sighed. “Young Lord Ning Zhuo has already told me the reason—it’s General Liu Er.”
“He fell for you at first sight, General Mu. He couldn’t bear to see you suffer or the Red Flower Camp fall into crisis, so he acted generously to help.”
Mu Lan immediately frowned. “That human-demon hybrid’s shameless intentions still haven’t died. Disgusting!”
Zhang Chongyi quickly advised, “General, we must prioritize the bigger picture. These supplies came at a crucial time—they're a lifeline for the entire Red Flower Camp. If you let personal feelings interfere and end up implicating the whole army…”
Mu Lan let out a long sigh. “Sigh! Rest assured, Uncle Zhang. How could I be so blind to the weight of things?”
The Golden Halberd Army was stationed within Canglin Immortal City.
In the main general’s residence—
Clang!
A teacup was violently thrown to the floor and shattered into pieces.
Sun Gan’s fury almost made his hair stand on end. “What is that Liu Er thinking!?”
“A mere human-demon hybrid, and he dares covet the Grand General’s Seal? Truly ignorant of heaven and earth!”
“Falling for Mu Lan at first sight? Who would believe that load of crap?”
“Utterly shameless!”
It was one thing for Shuangjing to be a rival.
Sun Gan acknowledged Shuangjing’s status and position—he recognized him as a formidable enemy.
But Liu Er? What the hell was he?
A lowly half-blood wants to join the competition!?
Sun Gan felt thoroughly humiliated.
Just as he was contemplating how to strike back at Liu Er, a subordinate came with a report: General Shuangjing, commander of the White Jade Camp, had come in person to pay a visit.
Sun Gan was momentarily stunned before he quickly understood. Shuangjing must have learned that the Three Generals Camp had stepped in and rescued the Red Flower Camp from its predicament.
“Invite him to the reception hall,” Sun Gan ordered as he straightened his robe.
Soon, he stepped into the hall and saw Shuangjing.
Shuangjing smiled, his tone icy: “General Sun, I’ll be direct. I’m here about the Three Generals Camp.”
“Who knew Liu Er, who usually looks so honest, would turn out to be such a devious bastard—trying to snatch the Grand General’s Seal from right under both our noses!”
“That human-demon hybrid, that outsider, dares make a move on Mu Lan? Truly the height of stupidity.”
“You and I should join forces, give him and his camp a proper lesson—let him understand that stupidity comes with a price!”
Sun Gan didn’t waste words either and agreed on the spot: “Agreed!”
Thus, the two parties formed a secret alliance.
That very afternoon—
Cultivators from the Three Generals Camp went into the city to purchase a few provisions for military needs, only to be ambushed and robbed.
Not only were the goods taken, but three of their people were killed.
Upon hearing this, Liu Er flew into a rage and immediately went to the Immortal City, demanding justice from the city lord and the arrest of the culprits.
That evening, the Golden Halberd Army suddenly left the city for “training” and happened to pass by the Three Generals Camp’s own training march.
“What are you looking at?”
“Looking at you, so what!?”
“You punk! Get him!”
Thus, the conflict erupted in absurd fashion.
Zhang Hei did everything he could to maintain order.
A Golden Core commander from the Golden Halberd Army insulted him—and his entire family.
Zhang Hei flew into a rage and struck first with his Black Serpent Spear.
The Golden Core commander clashed with Zhang Hei. At first, it was an even match, but as Zhang Hei ramped up the intensity, the commander suddenly withdrew and allowed the spear to pierce right through his body.
Zhang Hei was stunned.
Other Golden Core cultivators from the Golden Halberd Army seized the moment to rush in and rescue their heavily injured comrade.
Just as Zhang Hei realized something was wrong and opened his mouth, Sun Gan appeared abruptly—and struck directly.
He was at the Nascent Soul level. The Golden Halberd Army was well-trained and superbly equipped, leagues above the Three Generals Camp.
Even though Zhang Hei fought with all his strength, the outcome was decided from the start.
Zhang Hei was captured by Sun Gan.
With their scheme successful, the Golden Halberd Army returned to the city immediately.
Three Generals Camp.
“What?!”
Upon hearing the sobbing report from a soldier who had escaped back to camp and learning that Third Brother Zhang Hei had been captured, Guan Hong’s face turned crimson with fury.
He stood up instinctively and grabbed his Blood Dragon Blade.
But stepping out of the tent, he forced himself to calm down. “This is bad!”
“Big Brother is still in the City Lord’s Mansion. Third Brother is now held by Sun Gan. If I go now in a rage, I’ll surely lose. Worse, it might drag Big Brother into the mess—he’d have to rescue one more person later.”
“For now, endure. Wait…”
Whoosh!
In the next instant, a beam of white light shot out, so bright that Guan Hong could barely open his eyes.
An assassin!
Guan Hong instinctively raised his guard.
Pshk!
His right arm was pierced—a large chunk of flesh was sliced away on the spot, revealing pale bone.
The Blood Dragon Blade howled!
In the next instant, blood light filled the sky.
The assassin gave a muffled grunt, struck by the counterattack, and vanished.
Guan Hong was left half-kneeling on the ground, leaning on his blade, face contorted in a mixture of shock and fury.
“Despicable!”
“These bastards…”
“Oh no!”
“If I was ambushed here… what about the Strategist!?”